Merry Christmas in July!
Once upon a time I was asked if I’d like to write a sweet Christmas story and could I include a dog. Since I was out of contract at the time, I, of course, said yes. As I hunted for inspiration for the story, I came across a photo of a Burnese Mountain dog next to a toppled Christmas tree and the idea for A Family Under the Christmas Tree was born.
My mother had just passed, and I wanted to write a story where I could name a character after her. The grandmother in A Family Under the Christmas Tree’s name is Louise, which is my mother’s middle name. Still feeling nostalgic, I named the hero David after one of my favorite great uncles, the boy’s name came from one of my maternal grandmother’s brother, and the last name Murphy was my paternal grandmother’s maiden name.
This story is dear to my heart, and I hope you have a chance to enjoy the book. And watch the movie adaptation! That’s right, the book was adapted into a Hallmark movie and retitled Picture a Perfect Christmas, starring Merrit Patterson and John Cor. I was blessed to visit the set during filming and am so pleased with how the adaptation turned out!
If you’d like to watch the movie, you’ll have a chance on Sunday, July 20th, at 10:00 am EST, according to the Hallmark Channel website. Check your local listing to confirm date and time. You can always record the movie or find it on the Hallmark Channel or App to watch at a later date.
In the movie, they swapped out the Bernese Mountain dog for a cute terrier who did a fabulous job.
In this heartwarming tale set during the Christmas season, a
single father and a fashion photographer are brought
together by a young boy and a mischievous Bernese mountain
dog—but first they must learn to set aside their differences
if they are willing to let their relationship bloom.
David Murphy never knew much about kids. But when his
brother dies unexpectedly, David is granted custody of his
six-year-old nephew, Troy, who he’s only seen once a year
since he was born. He already has his hands full running his
business, and he has no idea how to help the grieving boy.
When Troy runs off one day, David finds him at a park
playing with an adorable and rambunctious Bernese mountain
dog—who leads him to Sophie.
Sophie Griffith has spent her life travelling around the
world as a photojournalist. She has never stayed in one
place for long, and her new assignment—helping her
grandmother for a few weeks—is just temporary. Once
Christmas day comes, Sophie is off the hook and can leave
for a new adventure. Caring for her grandmother is a piece
of cake—but caring for her new Bernese mountain dog, Riggs,
is a different story. It doesn’t help that Riggs strikes up
a friendship with a lost little boy one day at the park—and
leads her to David.
Neither David nor Sophie have time for romance. But as they
spend more time together, they start falling for each other
even though they know it can’t go anywhere. Sophie will be
gone after Christmas, and the last thing David needs is
another distraction as he tries to comfort Troy. But as
their faith and growing love for the boy and dog unites
them, they wonder whether it’s more than a holiday
romance…and maybe Troy might finally get his Christmas wish
for a family.
Romance Contemporary | Inspirational Romance | Holiday [Howard Books, On Sale: October 1, 2016, Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9781501144745 / eISBN: 9781501144776]
Lose Yourself In Heart Warming Romance, Heart-Pounding Suspense
Growing up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Terri Reed is a country girl at heart but loves exploring big cities as well as going on adventures around the world. An avid reader, she dreamed of writing her own romance and romantic suspense novels and set out to learn the craft and business of writing.
Now she has numerous published books that have been Fresh Picks on Fresh Fiction, have made the Publishers Weekly Mass Market Paperback Bestseller list, Nielsen’s Bookscan top hundred, Amazon Bestseller list, and have been featured in USA Today. Her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America RITA contest, National Readers’ Choice Award, Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award, and American Christian Fiction Writers The Carol Award contests.
When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and doing agility with her dog.
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